The best blues of BlueNotes' 2008

BlueNotes has been on an extended holiday vacation, celebrating -- among other things -- Festivus, and shortly, the new year. Then we'll be back with our usual assortment of blues notes, blues news and just plain rambling. And probably a few new things, like a good blogroll. And BeerNotes is itching to talk more about his favorite blues brews.

But right now, it's the end of another BluesYear, and BlueNotes is ready with some of his favorite blues events of the year.  I haven't seen every show, or heard every CD, so this won't be a ten-best list, but more like a list of personal favorites, and the shows will focus on what I've seen.

There will however, be a few BlueNotes awards. The BlueNotes are sort of like the Grammys, only better, since the BlueNotes don't have to deal with trivial music like opera or rap or classical music.

Let's get started.

Here are my favorite albums of 2008:

Most of these are in no particular order, but B.B. King's "One Kind Favor" is definitely my favorite - and I think - the best blues album of the year. King is one of the few artists of any kind who has earned the title "living legend." And this is an album that defines his career, pulling the music of his roots back into focus for what he seems to be saying is his definitive blues statement. It's not new music for the blues, but it represents the grand history of the music. And you just can't ask any more than that. (This one wins a BlueNotes)

Close behind that is another gem from another grand master of the blues, Buddy Guy. His "Skin Deep" looks like Guy's personal statement about the rise of the blues out of the black experience and the basic meaninglessness of what your skin looks like. And it's great blues from one of the greatest remaining contemporary bluesmen. (This one wins a BlueNotes)

Here are some other albums I especially liked (with links to BlueNotes' perceptive comments):

Irma Thomas is "Simply Grand"

Taj Mahal, the 'Maestro'

John Nemeth's "Magic Touch" (This one wins a BlueNotes)

Magic Slim's "Midnight Blues"

"Rich Man's War," an album of protest music

Joe Louis Walker is "Witness to the Blues"

Rory Block's tribute to Son House

"Live from Bluesville" -- new life for old blues

Watermelon Slim: "No Paid Holidays"

Tomcat Courtney, "Downsville Blues"

Tab Benoit, "Night Train to Nashville"

Marcia Ball, "Peace, Love & BBQ

David "Honeyboy" Edwards, "Roamin' and Ramblin"

Paul Rishell, Annie Raines: "A Night in Woodstock"

Here are some of the best local blues shows I saw in the past year:

John Nemeth's cool old blues at the Thunderbird Cafe

Watching the Chicago blues with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith at Moondog's

Cephas, Wiggins and the Piedmont blues with Calliope in Shadyside

A BluesBurgh weekend, with Billy Price and French guitarist Fred Chapellier at the Thunderbird, plus Nuthin' But Trouble at Moondog's

Keb' Mo' and Robert Cray deliver the music in Greensburg

The Wheeling Heritage Music BluesFest ... or the part I saw (This one wins a BlueNotes)

The Pittsburgh Blues Festival (This one wins a BlueNotes)

Other stuff

Porky Chedwick, the legendary disc jockey who brought blues, R&B and doowop to the Burgh starting in the late 1940s, moved to Florida, but left behind almost 60 years worth of great musical memories.

A very interesting blues book, "Delta Blues," by Ted Gioia traces the roots of the music in the Mississippi Delta.

Looking back on it all, it was a pretty good year for the blues, despite all the dire predictions about the death and dearth of the music. You can still see performances and hear new recordings by some of the old masters, and also hear fine new music from people whose blues hearts are in the right places.

May you all have a new year full of good blues.

BluesWax wants fans to nominate blues favorites

BluesWax is a very fine online blues mag, filled with good interviews, photos, reviews and blues news. If you're not reading it, you should be. (You do have to register, but it's all free.)

Right now, BluesWax is launching its awards process for artist and album of the year for 2008. And they want your nominations. Here's how they put it:

The nomination process is now open for the 2008 BluesWax Artist and Album of the Year Awards! Simply send your nomination for both categories to blueswax@visnat.com. Please add "2008 Nominations" in the subject of your email. The Final ballot will be announced in the issue of January 1, 2009.

Lots of music awards are made without the input of the actual fans (including the BlueNotes awards, coming soon), but here you get a chance to nominate your favorites. Vote early, but not necessarily often.

Music for a bluesy Christmas, or whatever you celebrate

A few days ago, I wondered about your favorite Christmas blues songs, but since most of you are probably out doing last-minute shopping, I'll have to come up with my own list.

I've already mentioned that my all time favorite is "White Christmas," by to the Drifters, rendered unforgettable by Bill Pinckney's rumbling bass and Clyde McPhatter's soaring vocal lines.

Billy Price wrote in to agree, but also suggests that Clarence Carter's "Santa Claus Wants Some Loving" belongs at the top as well. He could be right. I have a version by blues-rocker Tinsley Ellis, and Mr. Claus' frustration is soulfully expressed.

Another commenter suggested "Back Door Santa" by Jet. Well. BlueNotes is shocked at the thought that Santa might not always use the chimney. I've never heard Jet's version, but I do have one by the Holmes Brothers, and they give it a fine bluesy reading. But I'm not sure I'd put it in my top ten. Maybe 11 or 12, though, just because it appeals to BlueNotes' weird sense of humor.

Here are some others I like:

"Merry Christmas Baby" by Charles Brown. He's masterfully smooth and seasonally soulful. This is probably my number two, and another Brown tune, "Please Come Home for Christmas," is right up there as well. If you can find it, Brown's 1994 album "Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues" on the old Bullseye Blues label is a gem, full of the Brown's classic liquid blues stylings. This album, mixed carefully with a good brandy, will warm the coldest Christmas night. Not to mention the heart.

I'm a complete fan of Chuck Berry, and his "Run, Run Rudolph" (or Run, Rudolph, Run") is a classic. ("... all I want for Christmas is a rock 'n' roll electric guitar...")

I'm also a sucker for "Blue Christmas," mostly the Elvis version (I think Elvis was a closet blues singer)..

Charlie Musselwhite plays a sweet harp instrumental of "Silent Night" that's very beautiful (don't bring it to your holiday party if you want to keep the dancers on the floor!).

Koko Taylor sings up a blues storm on "Have You Heard the News?" and Roomful of Blues has a very soulful "Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues?"

I'd round out the list with almost any Christmas song by the garrulous and mysterious, if not always bluesy, Leon Redbone.

This just scratches the surface. I've heard great blues Christmas songs from many blues artists, and have probably forgotten some that belong here.

Speaking of last-minute shopping -- any combination of blues CDs and Christmas beer (the Belgian Delerium Noel is a current favorite) should make any blues lover happy. Even if it's just you.

And in honor of the holiday season, BlueNotes will spend a few days away from the blog, but hopefully not far from the blues. You should all celebrate whatever holiday it is you like to celebrate at this time of year. BlueNotes is a traditional sort, so from the BlueNotes World Headquarters, Merry Christmas to all, with peace, love and good blues.

Now here are some special YouTube Christmas videos:

This is Charles Brown from 1983:

This is Sheryl Crow and Eric Clapton (wearing a tie, for goodness sake).

This is Elvis, from (I think) his 1968 Comeback Special

Merry Christmas, baby --  BlueNotes

Billy Price and the Nighthawks

Okay. I think I'm almost over mistakenly writing Jackie Wilson when I should have written Clyde McPhatter in an earlier post about the Drifters. As you can clearly see from the way they are spelled, they're almost identical. An easy mistake.

So let's move on. I should be telling you about the great music produced by the Nighthawks and Billy Price at Moondog's Friday night.

They may seem like an unlikely pairing -- the hard-rocking Nighthawks and the soulful Price, but they find common ground in the bluesy material that inspires both sides of their experience. And they make beautiful music together. Price was a little bluesier for the event, nailing numbers like "Farther on Down the Road." It's not the first time they've worked together, and let's hope it's not the last.

It was a fun night. By themselves, Price and the Nighthawks always give good music. Together, it reminded me of the Doublemint Twins (remember them?): Double the pleasure. Price was supposed to have brought his keyboard player, Jimmy Britton, but Britton was sick.

And for a change, Moondog's was packed. It was hard enough just to get inside, let alone move around once you were there. But it's good to see the fans come out and enjoy a good show. Most even seemed to make it through both sparkling sets.

Opening the night was Norm Nardini with a trio that included former Jimmy Thackery drummer, Mark Stutso, who left Thackery in August after 18 years and moved to the Burgh -- our gain.

Ooops and thanks to Billy Price

A big ooops. I wrote earlier today (very, very early, which was part of the problem!) that Jackie Wilson sang on the Drifters' classic rendition of "White Christmas." Of course that's not true. As Billy Price points out in a comment below, it was Clyde McPhatter. I knew that. That's what I get for trying to write a post after a Billy Price/Nighthawks concert, the usually steel-trap quality BlueNotes mind addled by great music mixed with gin and tonic. Thanks Billy.

Here's a quick photo from last night's show, with Billy wailing in front of the Hawks. More later. Yes, the photo could be better. It's not easy holding a drink and a camera, with fans elbow-to-elbow (I'm trying to be delicate about the body parts here) all around.

Blues for Christmas

 If you're a blues lover, much like BlueNotes, then your holiday season isn't complete without bluesy Christmas music. For me, "White Christmas" was never the same after I heard the Drifters' version, with Jackie Wilson's falsetto turning the traditional vanilla rendition into something with soul. And if Christmas doesn't have soul, what's left if you don't believe in Santa?

As usual, the holiday has snuck up on us here at the BlueNotes World Headquarters, and my plans to list my favorite holiday blues songs are way behind schedule.

But I'll have them in the next few days. Meanwhile -- what are yours? Elvis' "Blue Christmas"? Chuck Berry's "Run, Run Rudolph"? Charles Brown's "Merry Christmas Baby"?

Or maybe you just say "humbug" to the whole thing, and jump right into the new year.

I also want to wrap up 2008 with some of my favorite blues albums of the year. If you send along yours, we'll add them to the list. If I like them!

Meanwhile, do your bit for the economy. Go shopping. Buy some blues CDs.

Billy Price, the Nighthawks and Web soul

The blues seem to be slowing down a bit for the holidays (just when you need them the most), but there's a show coming up tomorrow night (Friday) that's worth the effort -- blue-eyed soul guy Billy Price and his keyboard player Jimmy Britton join the hard-working and hard-rocking Nighthawks at Moondog's in Blawnox.

The Hawks have a new CD coming up -- "American Landscape" -- and Price is working on a new disc -- "Night Work" -- featuring French blues guitarist Fred Chapellier.

Chapellier

Here's a YouTube video of this matchup from about a year ago:

More soul music

If you, like me, love the sound of that sweet soul music, there's a new place on the Web to check it out.

Al Bell, former Stax Records owner and Motown president, has launched a company and website focusing on this great American music. "Al Bell Presents American Soul Music" looks back at the history of this classic music, and presents contemporary artists as well. Go to the website and check the Screening Room tab at the top -- there are wonderful clips of some of the greatest soul artists, including Aretha, Brother Ray, Marvin Gaye and lots more.

There's an interesting Archives section, and music downloads are promised. The site is a bit of a work in progress, but there's already much to see and hear. Bell is to be commended for not just sitting on his soul credentials, but for providing a place for old and new fans to share the music.

Blues Music Award nominees

The Blues Foundation has released its nominations for the 2009 Blues Music Awards. They have 26 categories, and reflect the broad spectrum of blues, from blues rock to very traditional blues and reissues.

Compare that to the two blues categories that the Grammys have, for contemporary and traditional blues. Sure, I know the blues can't compete with all the varieties of music that the Grammys recognize. But wouldn't it be nice if the blues -- the granddaddy of many of those Grammy categories -- had a more than just a couple of slots in the big time?

Just for fun, here's a comparison of the two Grammy categories with the two comparable Blues Music categories -- contemporary and traditional:

Danny Kalb, Blues Project founder, has a new CD

Do you remember the Blues Project? I barely do, since when they hit the scene in 1965 as a kind of blues jam band interpreting old blues material, I was hung up on Ray Charles, some fine soul music, and a few bluesmen like Jimmy Reed. I wish I'd paid closer attention.

Especially since I've just heard a new CD by one of the Blues Project founders, Danny Kalb -- "I'm Gonna Live the Life I Sing About" (Sojourn Records). Kalb was a big blues fan, a fine guitarist and a protege of the great Dave Van Ronk back in the heady days of folk and blues in mid-60s New York.(be sure and check those Blues Project and Kalb links above. The history is fun and informative -- a truly historic part of American musical evolution.)

Kalb plays now in a trio with Bob Jones, acoustic bass, and Mark Ambrosino, drums. Kalb plays acoustic and electric guitar flawlessly and handles the vocals in a gruff, laconic style. They make old music new again.

When I first opened the CD and looked at the cover, I thought, "OK, another old white dude who wants to play the blues." Then I listened to a few bars, and thought, "Wow, an old white dude who can really play the blues." (note that there's anything wrong with being an old white dude. (BlueNotes has some cred in that regard.)

He does some of his own tunes, which are finely written ("Gotta Get Goin' Again" is a sweet little gem) , but he also invokes the spirit of some of the great bluesmen. He's truly masterful on Little Walter's "Mean Old World," takes a tough shuffling turn on Jimmy Reed's "Shame, Shame, Shame,"  and Joe Williams' "Baby Please Don't Go" evokes primeval heartache. The title track is by bluesman turned gospel founder Thomas A. Dorsey, with a lyrical philosophy writen in the blues. One of the most enjoyable cuts, pure fun, is his lazy, loping, slowed-down version of Little Richard's "Slippin' and Slidin.'

As you might have guessed, I like this album. Too bad I missed Kalb the first time around. That's what a misspent youth will do.

I rummaged around on YouTube, and found this old, old 1967 video of the Blues Project:

Then I found this very recent performance of Kalb's current group doing a take on the Son House classic, "Death Letter Blues." Enjoy.

Honeyboy Edwards: 'The World Don't Owe Me Nothing'

I've finally finished reading bluesman David "Honeyboy" Edwards' 1997 autobiography, "The World Don't Owe Me Nothing" (I know it's 11 years later. What can i say -- there were a lot of words.)

It's Edwards' story, as he told it to Janis Martinson and Michael Robert Frank, in many, many hours of recorded interviews, and the writing is as much in Edwards' voice as possible. Martinson is an author, and Frank is Edwards long-time manager and the owner of the historically bluesy Earwig record label.

One of the amazing things about this is that Edwards was in his early 80s during this project (and still performing), and his memory for the events of his life reaching back into his childhood are amazing.

The other amazing thing about this book is Honeyboy's life. Times were tough when he was born in Shaw, Miss., 93 years ago, and pretty much went downhill from there for many years, through the Depression of the 1930s. Through it all, Edwards learned and played the Delta blues, collecting styles and songs and memories that go deep into blues history with Charlie Patton, Big Walter, Little Walter and Robert Johnson, and many other of the blues' founding fathers and sons, all of whom are gone, except for him.

He tells of a hell-rasing young life, playing his guitar on street corners and in jukes, hoboing, hitchhiking and riding the rails in times when a pallet on the floor would have seemed like a bed at the Ritz.

Living a life that most of us would have a hard time imagining, let alone surviving, Edwards seemed to be able to maintain a sense of humor, dignity and humility -- thus the title: "The world don't owe me nothing."

Here are a couple of sentences that catch that feeling from early in his life in Memphis with Roosevely Sykes and Memphis Slim:

We'd come in late at night, come off the streets around midnight and them dives stayed open till three in the morning. Women would be sitting all on top of the damn piano, drinking white whiskey. We'd just get drunk then, try to get us a woman to carry home wih us. It was plenty of fun. My God, the world don't owe me nothing!

I'm sorry it took me so long to get to this fine little book. It's full of vivid stories, all ripe with blues history and the blues life of those years that no one else is around to talk about. Or play the music. It's a continuing tribute that this great bluesman is still performing, still sharing his gift, still enriching our lives.

If you've never read it, and you consider yourself a blues fan, you should. Maybe even if you aren't a blues fan.

You'll find one of my photos of Honeyboy from a performance last year just to the left. And here's a 2007 perfomance from YouTube. (That's Michael Frank playing the harp.)

A BlueNotes personal update

It's true, as a commenter noted a couple days ago, that this week I joined the ranks of a couple dozen people at the Post-Gazette taking a buyout and leaving the company. The PG has been kind enough to recognize that BlueNotes still hasn't run out of blues to write about, so they will continue to host the blog. Thanks, and a tip of the mug from BeerNotes to them, and to you for hanging around and continuing to read.